Gary's Blog

Just a place to find out what's on my mind, or what's occupying my time whilst I avoid actual "work."

 

VGN for March 3rd, 2006

Video Game News:

No more CDs?

By Lisa Baertlein
Wed Mar 1, 8:42 PM ET
 

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Video game maker S2 Games plans sell

its new title "Savage 2: A Tortured Soul" exclusively through Web

downloads this October testing a new delivery system that both

independent computer game makers and industry behemoths are

trying.

By declining to box up thousands of CDs and distribute them in

stores, S2 aims to cut the price of the game and hold on to a

bigger percentage of proceeds, Marc DeForest, the company's

co-founder and lead designer, told Reuters this week.

The increasing proliferation of high-speed Internet connections

is helping to drive interest in digital video game publishing,

particularly among small game development houses looking for a

direct route to fans.

According to research from Parks Associates, 42 percent of U.S.

households have broadband Internet access, which is making it

easier for users to quickly download video games, photos, music

and other content. Broadband penetration in some other countries,

such as     South Korea, is significantly higher.

Digital delivery of high-definition films, which are enormous

files, has been restricted by the limited deployment of

high-capacity networks needed to deliver feature-length videos to

millions of consumers via satellite, telephone or cable TV

networks.

In the case of S2, players will be able to download the entire

game to their computers. Online game play will happen on S2-run

servers that allow the company to identify those players who have

paid for the game.

 

Grrrrrrrrr.....PS3 delay?
By Colin Campbell 

Few in the industry believe that PlayStation 3 will launch in the

spring. It looks like Sony may be ready to announce a delay. A

company spokesperson has admitted that a delay is possible. 
 Sony has told the media that the launch of the console will be

delayed due to difficulties in finalizing the Blu-ray drive's

specs. An unnamed spokesperson for Sony Computer Entertainment in

Japan admitted that PlayStation 3 launch could be delayed.

SCE said that if final specs were not finalized with the Blu-ray

Disc development consortium, the launch of the console could be

delayed.

Famitsu president Hirokazu Hamamura, is quoted, "Sony has not

begun taking orders early this month, that means that it would be

difficult for the company to begin sales in May."

Until now, Sony has steadfastly stuck to its previously announced

launch date of "spring" without offering any further details.

Most industry observers believe the machine will be launched in

Japan and North America in the fall.

Hitoshi Kuriyama, an analyst at  Merrill Lynch, believes the U.S

launch could be delayed until 2007. Merrill Lynch's recent report

on PS3 suggested the machine would cost around $800 to produce,

and would be delayed. 
 
Final Fantasy XII footage...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eAIHC6zWCQY

And...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51eglKOlYg4&search=FF%20XII

But more importantly...

Oblivion Release Date Confirmed
As the rumours suggested, not long to go now before Bethesda's

epic is unleashed upon the gaming world...
Posted: 17:41 on 02 Mar 2006
By: Chris Leyton

Bethesda Softworks and 2K Games today brought the news that Elder

Scrolls fans have wanted to hear, Oblivion will ship to stores

across North America and Europe during the week commencing March

20th. The confirmation backs up the widely held belief that

Oblivion will arrive on the PC and Xbox 360 on March 24th in the

UK at least, with both versions arriving in standard and

collector's editions.

"Our most ambitious project ever is finally done," said Todd

Howard, Executive Producer of Oblivion. "We're excited to get the

game into everyone's hands and let them experience it for

themselves. We hope they enjoy it. I think it's our best game

yet."

"Oblivion will set the new standard for next generation gaming

and change the way role-playing games are viewed forever," said

Vlatko Andonov, President of Bethesda Softworks. "We set very

high goals and ensure they are reached because that is what our

fans deserve and have come to expect from Bethesda Softworks. We

are very proud of our team's accomplishments with respect to

Oblivion."

"Oblivion is one of the most anticipated video games of 2006 and

its release will be a milestone for the Xbox 360 and PC," said

Christoph Hartmann, Managing Director, 2K Games. "A shining

example of next-generation role-playing, Oblivion breaks new

ground in the genre with unparalleled graphics, revolutionary

gameplay and an expansive RPG world."

What I've been playing:

Fable Lost Chapters--XBOX

Animal Crossing--NDS

Black--XBOX

Con Corner:
Mega-Con wrap up

Anime Express

Name: Anime Express
Date: March 17-19, 2006
Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FL
At-Door Rates: $20weekend

 

posted by: Gary1059 at 06:58 | link | comments |